EV adoption is booming in Washington state, making up about 20% of all vehicles sold. Many people are getting electric vehicles, thinking a trip to the charging station will be as easy and cheaper as a trip to the pump. Then, they’re surprised by the long lines, charge times, and costs.
That’s why installing an EV charger in your home is a must if you’re serious about purchasing an EV. We at CBR Electric have served Puget Sound for over 20 years and can install a charger that’s safe, code-compliant, and, most importantly, fast.
Why Install an EV Charger at Home?
Saves Time
Depending on where you are and what time you’re visiting, public stations can be a hassle. Long lines, nothing to do nearby, broken chargers—these are just some of the complaints EV owners had as public chargers struggled to keep up with the number of EV owners. As long as you’re traveling locally, you’ll never need to use a public EV charger again!
Cost Savings
The cost of charging your car can be significantly less than filling it up, and you can save more by charging at home. Many electric companies will charge less for electricity used outside of peak hours, which is usually at night. Therefore, charging your car while you’re sleeping just makes sense!
Home Value
If you’re planning to sell your home, installing an EV charger can increase its value by 3% or possibly more. As long as you keep your charger maintained and up-to-date, we expect this value to increase with time.
Levels of EV Chargers
Not all EV chargers are the same. We can divide them into three levels:
Level 1
This charger uses 120-volt AC electricity, which you can find in any household outlet, and has an output of about 1 kilowatt. In layman’s terms, this charger is slow and can take days to charge your average EV.
Level 2
This charger is double the AC at 240 volts, and the kilowatts can be between 6 and 19. This level is enough to charge most batteries overnight.
Level 3
Level 3 can be up to 800 volts and between 50 and 350 kilowatts. These are what’s known as super-fast chargers, and this is what most public chargers use. They’re powerful, able to charge most batteries in half an hour. However, due to their high cost, you won’t find too many in residences.
In most cases, you’ll want a Level 2 charger, which can give you a full battery every morning without the high costs.
What Do You Need Before Installing?
Installing an EV charger isn’t as easy as plugging something into a wall. There are several factors to consider.
Electrical Panel Capacity
If you want a Level 2 charger, you need a dedicated 240-volt circuit. However, for aging homes or homes with maxed-out panels, you may not have enough power to run an entire charger. At best, your breaker may trip, and at worst, you may need to call the fire department.
Parking Location
Where are you going to park your car? Outside? A garage? A carport? This is where you should install your charger. Ideally, garage chargers are the smartest because they do not need additional weatherproofing or long cord lengths. However, not every home will have that option.
Charger Type and Brand
In addition to requiring a special charger, like Tesla’s, your EV may need a hardwired or plug-in charger.
Hardwired units will connect to your home’s electrical system. The benefit of these is that they are permanent and resistant to the weather. If you don’t have a garage, you may choose this.
Plug-in units are not weather-resistant, but they are more flexible. They use a 240V outlet, like the plug in your dryer or other major appliance.
Smart Features
Newer chargers have several bells and whistles, such as Wi-Fi connectivity or Bluetooth connections via a mobile app. The point of these features is to schedule charging, monitor energy use, get alerts, or update periodically. Some will appreciate these features, while others may want something a little simpler.
Permits and Code Compliance
Your EV charger needs to meet all state and local electrical codes. It can be a liability if not installed correctly, so you should not install it yourself. Have the professionals at CBR Electric do it for you.
Why Choose Us for Your EV Charger Installation?
We’ve installed electrical panels for over 20 years, so we’ve observed electric cars go from being a niche product to the future of travel. We are licensed in the Puget Sound region, serving Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Puyallup, and the surrounding areas.
Our licensed and certified team can visit your home to map out a path for the most efficient, cost-effective, and code-compliant installation of your EV charger. Whether your home needs rewiring or panel installation, our team has it!
Contact our team today for a free consultation and schedule your panel installation!
